Decision Analytics Associate Consultant – Process Engineer; Manufacturing

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Here you’ll work side‑by‑side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life‑changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide.

ZSers drive impact by bringing a client‑first mentality to each and every engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life‑changing impact to ZS.

ZS’s Insights & Analytics group partners with healthcare and life sciences clients to solve complex manufacturing and operations challenges using data, engineering rigor, and structured problem solving.

We are seeking a Decision Analytics Associate Consultant with a process engineering / manufacturing background to support projects focused on designing, optimizing, and scaling pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing processes.

The role applies foundational shop‑floor manufacturing and quality knowledge to structured problem‑solving, data analysis, and process mapping, working closely with senior consultants and domain experts to develop client‑ready insights and recommendations.

This role is ideal for an early‑career engineer (at least 3‑5 years of experience) who has worked in or closely with manufacturing operations (e.g., biologics, sterile/aseptic, advanced therapy, or small‑molecule facilities) and manufacturing quality, and is interested in applying that experience in a consulting environment.

• Support process design and optimization work across drug substance and drug product manufacturing (e.g., upstream, downstream, utilities, fill–finish) under the guidance of senior team members.
• Help map current‑state processes, identify bottlenecks, and contribute to recommendations that improve throughput, quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Perform data‑driven analyses using production, quality, and equipment data (e.g., yields, cycle times, deviations) and translate findings into clear, structured outputs (slides, exhibits, process maps).
• Contribute to facility and equipment design discussions, including process flow, layout, and concepts for multi‑product or highly automated operations.
• Help prepare and, at times, participate in client presentations, workshops, and design reviews, clearly communicating your analyses and supporting senior team members during discussions.
• Collaborate with ZS colleagues to execute project workplans, manage assigned work streams, and ensure timely, high‑quality deliverables.
• Work with analytics and digital specialists to leverage data from systems such as MES, historians, LIMS, QMS, and ERP to track KPIs and identify improvement opportunities.
• Support internal practice development, including contributing to knowledge assets, case studies, and tools related to process optimization and manufacturing excellence.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Biochemical, Mechanical, Industrial, or a closely related discipline).
• At least 3‑5 years of relevant experience in process engineering, manufacturing, or technical operations within life sciences, biotech, pharmaceuticals, or related process industries.
• Exposure to commercial manufacturing operations (DS/DP/FG) with an understanding of upstream, downstream, and fill–finish processes.
• Hands‑on exposure to manufacturing and quality systems, such as MES, LIMS, SAP/ERP, and eQMS.
• Experience in supporting changes to unit operations or equipment, assisting with capacity/throughput analyses, participating in investigations, root cause analysis, process improvement and equipment optimization, supporting process mapping, bottleneck identification, and shop‑floor studies.
• Familiarity with cGMP environments and cross‑functional collaboration with Quality, Validation, and…